Rival GOP Leader Wants Party to Work Together

At least one individual in town wants to work together with the current Republican administration and find a way to better represent people’s interests at the local level of government.

It is expected that Mayor Chris Vergano will drop incumbent Councilwoman Lonni Miller Ryan from the Republican ticket next week. Vergano did not respond to a request for comment.

Miller Ryan said she would run for re-election whether she is included on the party’s ticket or not. At Large Councilmen Joseph Schweighardt and James Jimenez are also up for re-election. Former county Freeholder Deborah Ciambrone is expected to take her place on the ballot. They are all members of the Wayne Regular Republican Organization.

Joe Bubba Jr. founded the Wayne Republican Organization for the People with the idea of rejecting what he previously calls a “tax-and-spend” system of government in town.

“Being a Republican in Wayne is like being a Democrat in Paterson. We have everything,” Bubba said. “The Republicans shouldn’t be fighting one another.”

Bubba said he’s hopeful that his group will work with the GOP establishment in town for the betterment of the people. He spoke highly of Vergano.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met a more honorable mayor than mayor Vergano,” Bubba said. “It’s just a shame that there has to be so much dissention.

Bubba said he’s been campaigning for office for a year. He said he’s been going door to door and talking to people, asking them what issues matter to them most and getting a feel for what they care about as residents.

“No other candidate has been doing that,” said Bubba, speaking highly of his opponents.

One person in the political arena who is not paying much attention to the matter is Wayne Democratic Chairman Ray Egatz.

“I don’t pay any attention to the rumors and the gossip. I can’t let that effect what we do. I’m trying to put the best slate of people together to run,” Egatz said. “We simply have to worry about doing the best job we can and concentrate on being the best we can be. Every time there’s an election we have an opportunity to bring a two-party system to Wayne.”

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